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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Medications and Heart Murmurs
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Medications and Heart Murmurs
by Carrie, Nov 23, 2000 12:00AM
During medical exams I have been told in passing that I have a faint heart murmur. While I'm quite sure it's not serious, when I gave blood I mentioned it and they asked if I had to take medication before going to the dentist. Are there special concerns in this regard? Should I be avoiding certain things that may speed my heart rate, such as caffeine or other herbal medications, etc.?
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, MD, Nov 24, 2000 12:00AM
, Nov 24, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Carrie,
A murmur is a "swishing" sound that the heart makes during its cycle that often indicates a valvular problem. There are some benign murmurs that are not due to valve problems. Unless you have been told you have a benign murmur it is probably a good idea to get it checked out with an echocardiogram. Depending of the type of murmur it will determine what, if any, precautions you need to take.
A murmur is a "swishing" sound that the heart makes during its cycle that often indicates a valvular problem. There are some benign murmurs that are not due to valve problems. Unless you have been told you have a benign murmur it is probably a good idea to get it checked out with an echocardiogram. Depending of the type of murmur it will determine what, if any, precautions you need to take.
